Authorities have formally named the two men who tragically lost their lives in a trench collapse in Crossnacreevy, County Down, on Friday morning, October 2, 2026. The victims are 23-year-old Joseph Hobbs from the Comber area and 38-year-old Mark Glover from Ballygowan.
The emergency response began shortly before 10:45 BST after the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call reporting a serious incident on the Ballygowan Road. Multiple crews rushed to the scene after workers became trapped beneath earth and debris when a trench gave way during earthworks.
Emergency Response and Multi-Agency Operation
A major rescue operation unfolded on the rural road as police cordoned off a stretch between Houston Road and Knockbreda Road. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service deployed four fire appliances-including two engines from Knock Fire Station, one from Carryduff, and one from Cadogan-alongside two dedicated specialist rescue teams.
The ambulance service assigned three emergency ambulances and two Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) trained in complex extrications. Despite emergency medical treatment administered at the site on Ballygowan Road, both men succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. Officials confirmed that no individuals were transported from the location to hospital facilities.
Investigation and Community Reaction
The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that they are not treating the deaths as suspicious. Investigators from the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) deployed directly to the site to examine excavation safety protocols and workplace compliance, working alongside police inquiries.
Political leaders and local representatives expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. DUP leader and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson extended his thoughts to the affected families, while Alliance MP for South Belfast and Mid Down Sorcha Eastwood lamented the sudden loss of workers out doing an honest day’s graft.
Public transport operator Ulsterbus diverted local services around the closure, and authorities urged motorists to continue avoiding the Ballygowan Road corridor as statutory safety investigations remain ongoing.
